Native American Legends

The Snake Man

A Cherokee Legend

Two hunters, both for some reason under a taboo against the meat
of a squirrel or turkey, had gone into the woods together. When
evening came they found a good camping place and lighted a fire
to prepare their supper.

One of them had killed several squirrels during the day, and now
got ready to broil them over the fire. His companion warned him
that if he broke the taboo and ate squirrel meat he would become
a snake, but the other laughed and said that was only a conjurer's
story. He went on with his preparation, and when the squirrels were
roasted made his supper of them and then lay down beside the fire
to sleep.

Late that night his companion was aroused b y groaning, and on
looking around he found the other lying on the ground rolling and
twisting in agony, and with the lower part of his body already changed
to the body and tail of a large water snake.

The man was still able to speak and called loudly for help, but
his companion could do nothing, but only sit by and try to comfort
him while he watched the arms sink into the body and the skin take
on a scaly change that mounted gradually toward the neck, until
at last even the head was a serpent's head and the great snake crawled
away from the fire and down the bank into the river.